BANGOR — Unionized nurses at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor are planning informational pickets to draw attention to negotiations for a new contract.

The three-year-contract between the 850-nurses and the medical center expired at midnight Thursday.

The Bangor Daily News says the provisions of the contract remain in effect.

Vanessa Sylvester of the Maine State Nurses Association says a strike is not being discussed, but picketing is planned for Oct. 11 to raise awareness.

The union wants mandated staffing levels. The hospital has rejected the idea of such requirements.

Last week the hospital made its “last, best offer,” but more negotiations are planned.